Most people who ask us about an "ice machine for knee surgery" are choosing between two Breg systems: the Polar Care Kodiak and the Polar Care Wave. Both circulate iced water through a pad wrapped around the joint, quietly, for hours at a time. The difference is compression, and it decides which one you need.

The short answer

• Kodiak — cold therapy only. Compact, runs 4–6 hours on a fill of ice and water, and is the only unit that can run on batteries (pack sold separately). Bundle with one Intelli-Flo pad from $450.
• Wave — cold therapy plus active compression, with two settings for each (regular or low). Intended for post-surgical and acute injuries where the surgeon or physiotherapist wants swelling controlled as well as pain. Bundle with your choice of wrap and a carry bag, $1,250; unit alone $990.

If the instruction is simply "ice it regularly", the Kodiak does the job at a third of the price. If the instruction mentions oedema, swelling or compression — common after knee reconstructions, shoulder repairs and hip procedures — the Wave is the one built for it.

What comes in the box

Kodiak bundle: the Kodiak unit and one Intelli-Flo pad. Pads are shaped for the treatment area — knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, multi-use — so choose the pad for the joint being treated. A barrier (the sterile Intelli-Flo dressing, or a towel) must sit between the pad and the skin.

Wave bundle: the Wave unit, one wrap of your choice (shoulder, foot/ankle, hip, multi-use, knee standard, knee large or universal back) and a carry bag. The Wave needs no separate skin barrier, and a Y-adapter allows two wraps for bilateral use.

Things people order with it

• Intelli-Flo sterile dressings for the Kodiak — the skin barrier for the first days after surgery.
• Kodiak battery pack — 10–14 hours of cold therapy away from a power point.
• A second pad if the patient will treat two joints, or a replacement pad for a unit already owned.

Home or clinic?

Both are designed to travel from the hospital or clinic to the patient's home. Clinics often keep a Wave for post-operative loan programs and stock Kodiaks for sale or hire to patients. If you're a clinic buying several units, call us on 02 9878 6188 for bulk pricing.

A note on use

Cold and compression therapy should be used as directed by the treating surgeon or physiotherapist, who will set the duration and frequency for the injury or procedure. Both Breg units are TGA registered (Kodiak ARTG 278206).

Still not sure? Our team advises clinics and patients on these units every week — send us the surgeon's instructions and we'll recommend the right one.